Article I, Section 2, Clause 1

Fisher Ames explained, “The term of election must be so long, that the representative may understand the interest of the people, and yet so limited, that his fidelity may be secured by a dependency upon their approbation.”(1)

James Madison said, “… the greater the power is, the shorter ought to be its duration…”(2)

Concerning the rights to voting, James Madison asserted, “Who are to be the electors of the federal representatives? Not the rich more than the poor; not the learned, more than the ignorant; not the haughty heirs of distinguished names, more than the humble sons of obscurity and unpropitious fortune. The electors are to be the great body of the people of the United States. They are to be the same who exercise the right in every State of electing the corresponding branch of the legislature of the State.”(3)

George Mason challenged, “A freeholder is the qualification in England,  and hence it is imagined to be the only proper one. The true idea, in his opinion, was that every man having evidence of attachment to, and permanent common interest with, the society, ought to share in all its rights and privileges. Was this qualification restrained to freeholders? Does no other kind of property but land evidence a common interest in the proprietor? Does nothing besides property mark a permanent attachment? Ought the merchant, the monied man, the parent of a number of children whose fortunes are to be pursued in his own country, to be viewed as suspicious characters, and unworthy to be trusted with the common rights of their fellow citizens?”(4)

Father, will You restore We the People’s understanding of the privilege and responsibility to vote and serve in public policy setting? May You and Your Ways be glorified in our laws once again, In Jesus’ Mighty, Holy Name, Amen.

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